Sinn Fein Surge In Oinion Poll

Gerry Adams and his party Sinn Fein were buoyed by opinion poll findings. BELFAST TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014

Sinn Fein has joined ruling Fine Gael as the most popular party in Ireland, according to the first opinion poll since the local and European elections.

And despite the controversy over the arrest of Gerry Adams in connection with the murder of Jean McConville, he was the only party leader to see an improvement in the popularity ratings among voters.

Reflecting the trends in last month’s elections, Sinn Fein and Independent candidates particularly are capitalising on a backlash by Irish voters against the traditional mainstream parties and bailout-imposed austerity measures.

Bearing the brunt is the junior government coalition partner Labour, whose support has has plunged 7% among voters.

Amid an intensifying battle for the leadership of the party – after Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) Eamon Gilmore stood aside ahead of an expected heave – its support has nosedived from 11% to just 4%.

The Red C poll, carried out for bookmaker Paddy Power, also reveals a 3% drop in support for ruling Fine Gael, down to 22% – one of their lowest showings since being elected to power in 2011.

Fianna Fail has also dipped in the popularity stakes by 3% to leave them securing 18% of the overall vote, according to the study.

This is only 1% higher than they performed after their disastrous outing at the last general election, as voters punished them for their governing role during the economic collapse.

Sinn Fein is up 4% in the poll to 22% support – making it the most popular party in the country [ i.e. 26 Counties/Irish Republic] alongside Fine Gael.

Independents have cornered nearly a third of the electorate’s votes, rising 9% up to 32%

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